1:35 M26 Dragon Wagon road wheels type 2 (Firestone, weighted

The real subject

The M26 Dragon Wagon was an American heavy tractor combination of the Second World War, intended for the recovery and transport of tanks. Behind the nickname Dragon Wagon stands an armored tractor with a semi-trailer, that is, a machine whose size overshadows much of what it hauled away. A vehicle like that carries its wheels in several rows and they are conspicuous on a model, because they make up the whole underside of the combination.

What the set contains

This is a wheel set for 1:35 scale in the rendition designated type 2, with the Firestone tire pattern. The wheels are weighted, that is, sagged under the weight of the combination at the point of contact with the road. It is precisely this that gives the finished model the impression of weight that decides everything on a tractor of this caliber. The number of pieces and the extent of the delivery are stated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Building and painting tips

• Always turn the wheel with the flattened face down toward the base, or the model will look lifted up.
• Before gluing, stand the combination dry on all its wheels and check that it stands level and does not rock.
• Cut excess material away with a sharp blade a little from the part and sand the remainder down.
• Wash and degrease the wheels before painting, and only then prime them.
• Set the rubber and the rim apart in both tone and degree of gloss, and settle dust mainly into the pattern and toward the sidewalls of the tire.

Terms of supply

A wheel set is supplied. The model of the combination, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Use cyanoacrylate glue to fix them, as it holds even on materials that cement for polystyrene does not grip.